Current surge indicator



July 31, 1951 1 RAM 2,562,434

` CURRENT sURGE INDICATOR Filed Aug. 25, 1949 di c ,c

/7 /7 ,l l f6 y. I l l INVENTOR. Jo/1n Orczm atented July 3l, 195i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electric current surge indicators.

It often happens in the electrical power industry that electrical transmission lines are subjected to exceptionally heavy surges of current, during electrical storms and under other circumstances, and such surges result in interruption of electrical service, either through the tripping of circuit breakers or other protective devices, or because of physical or electrical damage to said transmission lines. This situation obtains both in high voltage transmission lines and in electrical power lines within a city and leading throughout the suburbs and environs thereof.

When such interruption of electrical service occurs, it is very important that the electric company service or repair crews be able to locate the fault or damaged portion of the transmission line as quickly as possible so that it may be repaired and electrical service restored, Because of the complexity and magnitude of modern electric power supply systems considerable time is often required to locate the exact source of the trouble, and for this reason, various types of devices have been developed which may be attached to or associated with electric power supply lines to give an indication of the passage of a heavy surge of electrical current through said line. Normally, such devices are employed at each branching of the power supply network so that a repair crew may quickly check the various portions of the power system or network to ascertain the location of the fault therein.

Previous devices of this type have assumed the nature of a relay which is tripped upon the passage of a heavy current surge to record a permanent or lasting record of such passage. Several objections to such devices have developed, however, among them being the necessity for a workman to climb the pole supporting the power lines in order to reset the device, an operation which obviously incurs prohibitive expense if numerous devices of this type are used where trip-outs are frequent. The devices have also been objectionable in that they are mechanical in nature and are adversely affected by weather conditions, sometimes being rendered inoperative by heavy ice and gradually deteriorating over the years as they are exposed to the weather.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide an improved electric current surge indicator which is extremely simple and economical to manufacture and use, and which gives dependable* and trustworthy service over a period of years. Y

A principal object of the invention is to provide an improved electric current surge indicator which functions upon the passage of a heavy current to provide an indication of such passage which will remain observable for a Yperiod of several hours, and which will automatically return itself to a non-indicating position after such passage of time whereby the device is capable of indicating the passage offuture surges of current, and whereby it is not necessary for a workman to reset the device manually.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved electric current surge indicator which will function an indefinite number of times without any attention or manual manipulation whatsoever, which may be placed around a metallic conductor of electric energy and will indicate periodic surges of electric current without it being required that anyone operate, adjust, or manipulate the device in any fashion in order for it to indicate or restore its condition for indicating the passage of current surges.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved electric current surge indicator which is completely enclosed and sealed against the weather and cannot be adversely affected by freezing or icing conditions or other circumstances resulting from the exposure of the device over long periods of time to the open weather.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved electric current surge indicator having therein a body of clear liquid and a quantity of opaque, inert material, vthe liquid normally being clear but becoming visibly opaque upon the passage of a heavy surge of electric current through the power line with which the device is associated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved electric current surge indicator having a metallic armature adapted to be Vaffected by the magnetic eld created by a current of electricity passing through the power line with which the device is associated, and additional quantities of metal carried by the armature adapted to be affected increasingly by the lines of magnetic force as the armature moves toward said conductor whereby the length of travel of the moving element and positiveness of operation of the device is increased without otherwise adversely affecting the function of said armature.

A pertinent object of the invention is to provide an improved electric current surge indicator having a sealed container carrying a body of liquid and adapted to be positioned adjacent an electrical conductor, there being an armature and plunger within the container adapted to be moved toward said conductor upon the passage oi a heavy electrical current therethrough, the armature and plunger carrying a buoyancy chamber which reducesv the force necessary to so shift or move the armature toward the conductor.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter-described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood 3 from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of an electric current surge indicator constructed in accordance with this invention and showing the device in a non-indicating condition,

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. l illustrating the device after the passage of a surge of electrical current and showing the device in an indicating condition,

Fig. 3 is a vertical, cross-sectional View taken upon the line 3-3 of Fig, 1, and

Fie. 4 is. a horizon-tel, .cross-Sectional View talgen upon the line dvd of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, the numeral I designates an elongate, hollow, cylindrical housing or container. having -its lower end II closed, and its upper end sealed by .a'transverse disc or plate I2. The upper end .0f th@ housing IB carries external screw threads I3 which are received within a screw-.threaded cap I4, Ihe cap is provided with diametrically opposed notches I5 cut lin its skirt L6.. the notches extending upwardly within .Said skirt to a poi-nt substantially in horizontal alienment with Vthe 'underside of the top of the cap as illustrated in Fig. .and having their upper end ITI rounded as shown :in Figs. l and 2. The notches or recesses l5 are adapted to receive an electrical .conductor C as shown in Fig. V3, the conductor being vheld in vengagement with `the upper ends ITI of said :notches .by the screwing of the housing .lll :into the `cap so that the upper plate I 2 of said .housing 'urges the conductor against the lunderside of .the top of the cap I4, whereby the conductor is both held within the cap, and the cap :and housing are suspended from said conductor.

A .substantially .cylindrical plunger IB has a free ,sliding t in the bore .I9 of the housing Ie, the plunger being provided with .a marginal, de- .pending lip whichnormally engages the bottom :II of the housing as the plunger rests thereon. An upstanding boss Vor pin 2I of reduced .diameter is provided centrally of the upper side of the plunger I.8 :and telescopes the lower end lof .an elongate hollow tube l22 disposed within the housing .and projecting .upwardly therein from the 4plunger -to a vpoint adjacent the upper end of said housing. A cylindrical plug v23 'fits in the :upper end of the tube 22 whereby both ends of Athelatter are closed and a hollow buoyancy chamber :24 'within the interior of the tube A-22,'iis `defined.

The plug 23 'projects upwardly from lthe upper end of .the tube V22 and vhas a circular metallic plate or armature :2.5 secured to its upper end by means. Theplate or armature 25 has a diameter less than'the .diameter ofthe bore IB whereby Yperipheral clearance is provided around the edgesof said plate, and .carries a depending marginal skirt 2.1, formed integrally with said plate.'

A plurality of Itransverse .openings 28 are arranged in an annulus about the outer portion of the .plate .25,the1openings1being disposed between the outer surface .of the plug V23 Aand the inner surface ofthe skirt 21. .A similar group of openings .29 are varranged in an -annulus about the outer portion of the 'plunger I8, the `lower ends of the latter openings being within the marginal ange 20 of said plunger, and the upper ends of the openings being-disposed outwardly of the circumference of the tube 22.

:meansof ascrew 26 or .other suitable or desirable The housing I0, for the purposes of this invention, must be transparent to a suflicient extent to permit the observation of the contents thereof. While itl is preferable that the housing be absolutely clear and colorless, it is obvious that it may be colored lightly and may lack complete transparency so long as vision into the interior thereof 4is possible. Thus, the housing may be formed of glass, plastic, or any other suitable material, the acrylic resins having been found particularly suitable by reason of their ready workability and machineability, and because of their resistance to weathering. Similarly, the housing ID may be formed of a suitable type of glass,

Ihe plunger I8, tube 22, and kplug 23, are also preferably formed of plastic because of its lightness, and preferably a clear plastic because of its ability to transmit light. Nevertheless, it is not desired to exclude other materials since, as will `appear more fully hereinafter, the use of a clear Aplastic for the formation `o f these elements is not .essential- The,top plate l? Should be formed of a non-magnetic material and a materal which may be bonded to the upper end of the housing Ill to kseal the interior of the same. For this reason, a synthetic resin is preferable but is not essential.

The interior of the housing I0 is filled with a suitable indicating liquid L which may be any Clear or transparent fluid whlh will not ,freeze or solidify in Gold Weather and which is Chemically inert with -respect to the elements of the device which which it l.siennes .in contact. A particularly desirable liquid for this purpose is oomposod .of approximately .60% Water and approximately 40% ethylene glycol. Any suitable or desirable anti-freeze may be used, however, and there are .many organic liquids which may be 111.5861 221011.@ 'Wzfllpllt bllg Combined With any other liquid or substance. Since so many types of liquid are usable for this purpose, `and since it is well within the ability of any skilled chemist or technician to provide ka number of liquids suitable for the purpose, the liquid -will be dened with reference to its properties rather than with reference to its particular .composition The invention .does not lli-neo upon anypartlolllar compQSition, nor indeed, upon the properties of the liquid given hereinafter. For year round and dependable operation, however, the material should have the recited physical and chemical properties.

The :liquid should be relatively thin, Since .the plunger I8 vis to reciprocate therein, and the vis- COSUY of the liquid .Shouldremain reasonably oonstant over the range of temperatures encountered operation. vThe liquid is preferably absolutely clear and preferably colorless, although color may be `tolerated in the liquid so ,long as it does not approach opacity. The 4liquid should also be resistant .to freezing or solidifying in cold weather, and should lnot vaporize or volatilize in hot weather-gto any appreciable degree.

Incorporated :in the liquid is a quantity of opaque :powder or Amaterial `P in a nely divided state. 'The powder must be insoluble inthe liquid employed, and lis `preferably highly colored. 'I

V'have found vcommercial rouge"` suitable for this purpose and have employed about five to ten grams of the "latter ymaterial for each gallon of lthe liquid component. Chemical inertness, insolubility, and high visibility are the properties desired for thepowdered materials.

The operation of the device is -well illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Normally, with average or normal electrical currents passing through the electrical conductor C, the device will be in a non-indicating condition .and will merely be hanging from said conductor with all of the powder P settled to the bottom of the container lil. As illustrated, a portion of the powder will settle on top of the plunger i8, a portion therebelow, and a portion within the openings 2e. Now, as soon as a heavy surge of electrical current passes through the conductor C, the increased intensity of the magnetic field surrounding said conductor will draw the armature 25 upwardly against the top plate l2. As the armature approaches the plate, the skirt 21 carried by the armature will be moved into a magnetic eld of increasing intensity, and the resultant magnetic force urging the armature and plunger structure upwardly will be increased in an obvious fashion. llhus, once the upward movement of the armature commences, an increasing force will be provided for continuing such upward movement to the full extent of the armature stroke. Of course, virtually all power lines are protected by circuit breakers or similar devices, and the heavy surge of current, having caused such protective devices to function, the circuit will be opened and all electrical current through the conductor C will cease. Thereupon, the armature and plunger, of their own weight, fall again to the bottom of the housing IU, so that the complete cycle of operation encompasses the upward movement of the armature and plunger within the housing and the return of said elements therein to their lower position as shown in the drawings. The level of the liquid L within the container is normally slightly above the armature 25, and the openings 28 thereby function as liquid and air passages to permit the liquid and air within the container above the liquid level to surge back and forth from one side to the other of the armature as this reciprocation cycle takes place. The plunger I 3 and the openings I9, however, are turbulence-providing devices and create high velocity jets within the body of liquid as the plunger is reciprocated. The resulting turbulence will stir up or agitate the powder P which has settled to the bottom of the body of liquid and will cause the powder to be dispersed throughout said body of liquid into a state of suspension. Because of the high color and opacity of the powder the liquid thus changes from a clear, colorless body to an opaque, highly-colored body. A workman or lineman, observing the device from the ground, may readily distinguish between the two conditions, even at night by the aid of a flashlight, and will thus receive clear and adequate indication as to the passage rof a surge of current. If the housing appears to be clear, there has been no current surge. On the other hand, if the housing appears opaque and colored, there has been a heavy surge of current.

While not essential to the principle of this invention, there `are several details of structure which increase the efficiency and desirability of the device. For instance, it is preferable that the screw-threaded cap l! be formed of ferrous metal which provides a path for the magnetic field surment, the armature is made responsive to the magnetic eld after it has increased to a certain point-and said eld is concentrated in the neighborhood of the armature. Further, the positioning of the armature in its at rest position may be varied with respect to the lower portion of the skirt I6 of the cap I4 to Vregulate or adjust the calibration of the device. Thus, the device may be constructed to operate upon the passage of 250 amperes orless through the conductor C, or it may be arranged with a greater air gap so as not to respond until the electric current reaches the level of 590 amperes or higher. The travel of the armature is increased by the provision of the skirt 2l which, as previously explained, provides an additional continuous lifting force for the armature and plunger once the armature has commenced its movement toward the conductor C.

The buoyancy chamber 2G is of considerable importance in determining the sensitivity of the device. The armature and plunger structure possesses an appreciable weight and requires a certain minimum of force or power for lifting the same toward the upper end of the housing I il. The provision of the buoyancy chamber 24 has the effect of counteracting and balancing this weight since the chamber causes the armature and plunger structure to tend to float within the body of liquid L. For this reason, less force is required to raise the structure within the housing and the same will respond to .a magnetic eld of less intensityso that the device is made responsive to the flow of a smaller current. Of course, the size of the buoyancy chamber may be varied,

the weight of thearmature'and the weight of the entire armature and plunger structure may be increased or decreased to cause the device to function upon the passage of a certain minimum current. This is a matter of design and a changing of dimensions and is not viewed as materialV to this disclosure.

the armature plunger structure, and because the latter is completely enclosed within the sealed housing l0, it is obvious that weather conditions will not aiect either the operation or the life of this device. Once positioned upon a power line, no operating or maintenance costs are incurred except to observe the indication of the passage of a heavy surge of current. The powder P is heavier than the liquid L and will gradually settle to the bottom of the body of liquid. As previously described, the reciprocation of the armature and plunger structure in response to a surge of electric current will agitate the powder and liquid and cause the powder to be dispersed throughout the body of liquid to give visual indication of such current surge. After an hour or more, however, the powder will have gradually settled to the bottom of the body of liquid, leaving the latter transparentrand colorless and restoring the device to a conditionfor indicating the passage of future current surges. of the density and particle size of the powder P, and the density and viscosity of the liquid L, the settling time may be varied at will to further change or regulate the operation of the device. It is obvious, that the use of a heavy powder in a relatively thin and light liquid will result in the settling of the powder within a few moments so that the device again resumes an indicating condition within the space of a few moments. Decreasing density of the powder or increasing density or viscosity of the liquid will increase the..

Here again, by selectionY acca-:'34

settling time,k andthe latter mayY be l-ncreasedas desired upto a period oi'- a considerable number of hours. In most instances, it is desirable for the powder to settle-within one or-two hours since the indication of= a current surge. must be maintainedl until the repair crewl has time toinspect the device following the interruption of electrical service, but the time should notice-increased too greatly` becauseit may-interfere-with the indication of subsequent current surges through'v the same power line.

Theforegoing description of the invention isv explanatorythereoi andf variouschangesinthe size, shape and materials, asfwell asin the-details of the illustrated constructionmayfbemade, with-- in thescopeof the appended' claims, without departing from thespirit of` the invention.

What I- claim and desire. to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. Anelectric-current-surgeindicator including, a container adapted tobemounted in close-proie. iin-ity tolanlelectrical.conductor, a fluidiwithin theV container, annely-.dividedlsolidr in the fluid, andi a magnetic element Within the container-adapted to. undergo. movement.- and= create turbulence inthe fluid upon the. increase-A in magnetic ux causedby the passageof a-.heavycurrent ofelectricity through theconductor, theturbulence-in the fluid dispersing the finely-divided solidltherein to-give-a visual indica-tionof the current surge.

2. Anvv electric. current surge; indicator including, a container adapted'` tobeV connected toan electrical conductor, aluid-'within theconta-iner, a-,finely-dividedsolid in said fluid, and au armature, plunger within the container, the. plunger` beingresponsive toa. surge of; current inthe conductor to agitate the; fluidv and' disperseetherein: the finely-divided solid to. giveaAvisualindication ofthe-currentsurge;

3. An electric current surge `indicator including, a container adapted to :be mounted' in juxtaposi-f. tion with an electrical conductor, atransparent liquid within the. conta-incr, a. finely-divided opaque solid in: said liquid; and? ani armatura plunger -within the container, the.4 plunger. beingresponsive to a surge4 of current; inlthe. conductor-' toagitate the liquidV` and disperse; thereiny the:V opaque, solid; to. give,- a; visual' indication ofi theJ current surge.

4. An electric current surge.- indicator as. sett 5o forth` in, claim 3; whereinthe.-. liquid-is; colorless; andethe solidale colored-z 5. Anelectric current;surgefindicatorlincludmg, a ,container adapted-'to be connected-to anelect-ri-t cal conductor, anv armature plunger-withinlthe; container, and a. liquid -withinthe1container, sa-idf: liquid being clear when at restfandl.tur-bidzwhen-i agitated; the-,plunger--beingresponsiveto.-a: surgeJ of current` in the conductors-to agitateJthe-liquid-:f

causing the latter tolbecometurbida andzg'iVe-a. 0o.

visual indication of the-currentgsurge.-

6; Anelectric current--surge-indicatorI include ing, a container adaptedato Kbe mounted in juxta position with an electrical conductor,- a-.uid-:im

the container adapted. tochangenoticeably -itsg- 0,5.-

appearance upon agitation-of said uid; a--plungen in thecontainerimmersed in the-fluid,- and-1anarmature in. the container connected` totheplunger, the plunger beingresponsive--to-a-surgeof current in the conductor-to'-agita-te4 the -fluidi causing the latter to change-its appearance -no. ticeably -andgive a Visual indication-.ofA them-ure` rent surge. 1

7; An electriccurrent surge-indicator include.

ing, a container adapted to be mounted in juxtaposition with anelectrical conductor, a uid in the container adapted to change noticeablyits appearance upon agitation ofsaid uid, a plunger in the container immersedinthe uid, an armature in the container connected tothey plunger, anda hollow body inthe container at least partially immersed-inthe fluid and connectedto the armature and plunger, the armature being re sponsive-to a surge-of current in the conductor-tc undergo movement within the. container causing; the plunger to move within the container and: agita-te the fluid therein causing the latter to change its appearance noticeably and give= a visual indication-ofv the current surge.

8. An electric current surge indicator as set forth in claim 6,' wherein the plunger andthe^armature-are-provdedfwith-surge-openings;

9. An electric current sur-ge indicator includ ing, acontaineradaptedto-be4 connected' to an'F electrical conductor, an armature -plungervvithinthe. container, a liquid within the container, saldi liquid: being clear when at rest and turbid when agitated; and-a depending marginal angeon thearmature plunger, the plunger being responsive to` af surge of-r current in theconductor to agitate theliquidi causing the latter to become turbidand? giveravisual indication-,ofV the currentA surge.

10j. An electric current surgeindicator includ'- ing,v ahollow container, a metallic cap. adaptedi tostraddlean electrical conductor, means for see. curing-the.- container to the. cap, aliquid'- in the container, a nelydivided solid in the liquid; aplunger in the lower portion of the container, an; armature: in thei upper portion of the container; adjacentV the-Carr, anda buoyant. connection be-r tween the plunger andthe armature atleast par-- tially. immersed inl the liquid; the armature -beingresponsivefto .a1 surge-of current. inv the conductorI toundergo movement within thecontainer caus ing. theplungerto .movewithinithe container and' agitate-,they liquid-y therein, such'L agitation .dispersingthe finelyfdivided solid in the liquidto giver a visualiindication of-,thecurrent surge.`

1-1'. An electric currenty surgeindicator includ-- ing, a metallic screwthreaded;cap having dia--v metricallyfopposed notches adapted'tonreceive an electr-ical` conductor, a sealedtransparent` con-- tainer adapted; to be screwed into thel cap; av anged1plunger inzthe lower portion offthe con tainer, ametallic armature in the upper portionv of fthe-container, a-sealed hollow tube connecting.v the plunger andthe-armature, aliquidfwithin thecontainer; and; a finely-divided' colored opaque: chemically-inert solidin the liquid, said solid' having a density greater than that of the-liquid; the armature-being-responsivetoa surge of 'cur-- rent in the conductor to' undergo movement with-A in the container causing the plunger toA move- Withinl theconta-inerandfa gitate the liquid"thcrein, suchagitationdispersing the finely-divided1 solid inthe-liquidato give avisual-indicationof the current surge.

JOHN CRAM;l

REFERENCES' CITED' The followingv references are of` record;in theV le of vthis patent:

UNITED, STATES, PATENTS Number Name. Date 925,064: Whitney June l5, 19092 1,521,144' Adair, Jr. Dec. 30, 19242 2,138,430 Rudd Nov. 29, 1938* 

